Jewelry design with rolling and movable spherical shaped gemstones, jewelry kit, and method of assembling

ABSTRACT

Jewelry includes a plurality of settings interconnected to one another, each setting of the plurality of settings includes a cavity; a plurality of substantially spherical shaped gemstones including one located in the cavity of each of the plurality of settings; and a plurality of bridges each disposed between adjacent settings of the plurality of settings and each dimensioned to contour adjacent substantially spherical shaped gemstones.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to jewelry. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a jewelry design with rolling and movable spherical shaped gemstones, jewelry kit, and method of assembling.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Jewelry with precious gemstones, e.g., diamonds, typical include fixed settings for the gemstones. For aesthetics, it would be desirable to support movement with the gemstones. Existing designs for movable gemstones in jewelry include rotatable settings and ball bearings. Rotatable settings include a single gemstone. Ball bearings substantially hide the gemstones.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a jewelry design with rolling and movable spherical shaped gemstones, jewelry kit, and method of assembling. In an embodiment, the jewelry design can be a ring. Other embodiments are also contemplated such as a bracelet, charm, etc. Variously, the jewelry design includes a plurality of settings that are connected to one another in a ring or other curved structure. Each setting is dimensioned to hold a substantially spherical shaped gemstone, e.g., diamond. After each setting has its substantially spherical shaped gemstone placed therein, bridges are connected to both ends of each setting. Once all settings have bridges connected thereto, the jewelry design supports movement by the substantially spherical shaped gemstones. Two bridges plus the setting forms a channel. Note, each bridge is shared by adjacent substantially spherical shaped gemstones.

In an embodiment, jewelry includes a plurality of settings interconnected to one another, each setting of the plurality of settings includes a cavity; a plurality of substantially spherical shaped gemstones including one located in the cavity of each of the plurality of settings; and a plurality of bridges each disposed between adjacent settings of the plurality of settings and each dimensioned to contour adjacent substantially spherical shaped gemstones.

Each setting can include a bowl shape dimensioned to support each of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones. The bowl shape can include an opening at a bottom thereof. Each of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones is configured to move freely in the cavity with support via the setting and adjacent bridges. Each of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones can move 360 degrees in any direction in their channel without touching another substantially spherical shaped gemstone. Each bridge is substantially circular and wraps around ends of two adjacent settings. The jewelry can be a ring, a bracelet, or a necklace. The substantially spherical shaped gemstones can be diamonds.

Each of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones can have a tolerance of about 0.15 mm to a corresponding setting. Each of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones can have a tolerance of about 0.30 mm to a corresponding bridge. The plurality of settings and the plurality of bridges can each be a same metal. The plurality of settings and the plurality of bridges can each be different metals. The plurality of settings and the plurality of bridges can each be a same color. The plurality of settings and the plurality of bridges can each be a different color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like system components/method steps, as appropriate, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ring.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the ring.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the ring.

FIG. 4 is a front and back view of the ring.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of settings for the ring.

FIG. 6 is a front and back view of the plurality of settings for the ring.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the plurality of settings for the ring.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the plurality of settings for the ring with substantially spherical shaped gemstones placed therein.

FIG. 9 is a front and back view of the plurality of settings for the ring with substantially spherical shaped gemstones placed therein.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the plurality of settings for the ring.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the plurality of settings for the ring with substantially spherical shaped gemstones placed therein.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a mold for bridges.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mold for the bridges.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the ring illustrating tolerances.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the ring illustrating tolerances.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the ring illustrating attachment of the bridges to the settings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Again, the present disclosure relates to a jewelry design with rolling and movable spherical shaped gemstones, jewelry kit, and method of assembling. In an embodiment, the jewelry design can be a ring. Other embodiments are also contemplated such as a bracelet, charm, etc. Variously, the jewelry design includes a plurality of settings that are connected to one another in a ring or other curved structure. Each setting is dimensioned to hold a substantially spherical shaped gemstone, e.g., diamond. After each setting has its substantially spherical shaped gemstone placed therein, bridges are connected to both ends of each setting. Once all settings have bridges connected thereto, the jewelry design supports movement by the substantially spherical shaped gemstones. Two bridges plus the setting forms a channel. Note, each bridge is shared by adjacent substantially spherical shaped gemstones.

The design allows a substantially spherical shaped gemstone to move freely within each channel. Each half cup, or setting, fits the size of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones and a contoured bracket, i.e., the bridge, is placed over each side of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones to ensure maximum movability while maintaining security. The substantially spherical shaped gemstones can move 360 degrees in any direction in their channel without touching another substantially spherical shaped gemstone in the ring or bracelet.

The brackets or bridges are specifically designed with interior contours on both sides that mimics the shape of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones, and both protects it and gives it room for movement. The bridges are secured beneath the ring on each end so that very little assembly takes place on or near the sphere itself. Both the design of the setting and the bridges are minimal to allow for the maximum surface of the substantially spherical shaped gemstone to be shown at any given time. The substantially spherical shaped gemstones and their movement are the focus.

Physical Design

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ring 10. FIG. 2 is a top view of the ring 10. FIG. 3 is a side view of the ring 10. FIG. 4 is a front and back view of the ring 10. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of settings 12 for the ring 10. FIG. 6 is a front and back view of the plurality of settings 12 for the ring 10. FIG. 7 is a top view of the plurality of settings 12 for the ring 10. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the plurality of settings 12 for the ring 10 with substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14 placed therein. FIG. 9 is a front and back view of the plurality of settings 12 for the ring 10 with substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14 placed therein. FIG. 10 is a side view of the plurality of settings 12 for the ring 10. FIG. 11 is a side view of the plurality of settings 12 for the ring 10 with substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14 placed therein. FIG. 12 is a side view of a mold for bridges 16. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mold for the bridges 16.

For illustration purposes, the jewelry design is illustrated in FIGS. 1-13 as the ring 10. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the jewelry design can be a bracelet, necklace, charm, etc., and is not limited to a ring 10 form factor. That is, the bracelet, necklace, charm, etc. can also have a circular form (or oval) with the plurality of settings 12, the substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14, and the bridges 16.

The plurality of settings 12 each include a bowl shape, i.e., about half an open sphere. Each setting 12 can include a cavity 20 formed by cavity walls 22. The cavity 20 can also include an opening 24. The cavity 20 and cavity walls 22 are dimensioned to support the substantially spherical shaped gemstone 14. The objective of the cavity 20 is to be as small as possible to support the substantially spherical shaped gemstone 14, to show off the substantially spherical shaped gemstone 14 visually.

In the various FIGS., there are 16 settings 16. Of course, other values are contemplated. Of note, the plurality of settings 12 are positioned adjacent to one another, such as in a ring shape or other curved shape where each setting 12 can be adjacent to other settings 12.

The purpose of the adjacency requirement for the settings 16 is so that each can share bridges 16 for purposes of securing the substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14. The bridges 16 are specifically designed with interior contours on both sides that mimics the shape of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14, and both protects it and gives it room for movement. The bridges 16 are secured beneath the ring on each end so that very little assembly takes place on or near the sphere itself. Both the design of the setting and the bridges are minimal to allow for the maximum surface of the substantially spherical shaped gemstone to be shown at any given time. The substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14 and their movement are the focus.

The plurality of settings 12 together form substantially circular jewelry 30. The bridges 16 are attached in between two settings 12. The bridge 16 sits flush with the top of the settings 12 and wraps tightly around the settings 12. Both ends of the bridge 16 are attached to the settings 12, such as welded in place.

The bridge 16 is shaped to contour the substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14, enabling the substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14 to rotate and also maintaining distance from each substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14. In an embodiment, the substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14 have a tolerance of about 0.15 mm to the setting 12, as illustrated in FIG. 14 . Also, in an embodiment, the substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14 have a tolerance of about 0.30 mm from the substantially spherical shaped gemstone 14 to the bridge 16, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 . Of note, these tolerances allow the substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14 to move freely within the cavity 22 without falling out.

Jewelry Kit

In an embodiment, the present disclosure includes a jewelry kit for forming the ring 10 or similar jewelry. The kit includes the plurality of settings 12, a plurality of substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14, and the bridges 16 (as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 ). The plurality of settings 12 can be integrally formed such as through a mold. For example, the plurality of settings 12 can be a precious metal (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, etc.). The substantially spherical shaped gemstones 14 can be spherical diamonds or other precious gems. The bridges 16 can also be formed such as through a mold, and each is detached. The bridges 16 can also be a precious metal (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, etc.). In an embodiment, the plurality of settings 12 and the bridges 16 are the same metals. In another embodiment, the plurality of settings 12 and the bridges 16 are different metals. In a further embodiment, the plurality of settings 12 and the bridges 16 are the same color (whether or not the same metals). In yet another embodiment, the plurality of settings 12 and the bridges 16 are different colors (whether or not the same metals).

Assembly Process

Jewelry can be formed by a process with steps of: obtaining an integrally formed plurality of settings; placing a substantially spherical shaped gemstone in a setting of the plurality of settings; and attaching a bridge to ends of the setting to constrain the substantially spherical shaped gemstone therein.

CONCLUSION

The foregoing sections include headers for various embodiments and those skilled in the art will appreciate these various embodiments may be used in combination with one another as well as individually. Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Jewelry comprising: a plurality of settings interconnected to one another, each setting of the plurality of settings includes a cavity; a plurality of substantially spherical shaped gemstones including one located in the cavity of each of the plurality of settings; and a plurality of bridges each disposed between adjacent settings of the plurality of settings and each dimensioned to contour adjacent substantially spherical shaped gemstones.
 2. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein each setting includes a bowl shape dimensioned to support each of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones.
 3. The jewelry of claim 2, wherein the bowl shape includes an opening at a bottom thereof.
 4. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein each of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones is configured to move freely in the cavity with support via the setting and adjacent bridges.
 5. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein each of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones can move 360 degrees in any direction in their channel without touching another substantially spherical shaped gemstone.
 6. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein each bridge is substantially circular and wraps around ends of two adjacent settings.
 7. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the jewelry is a ring.
 8. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the jewelry is a bracelet.
 9. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the jewelry is a necklace.
 10. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the substantially spherical shaped gemstones are diamonds.
 11. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein each of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones have a tolerance of about 0.15 mm to a corresponding setting.
 12. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein each of the substantially spherical shaped gemstones have a tolerance of about 0.30 mm to a corresponding bridge.
 13. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the plurality of settings and the plurality of bridges are each a same metal.
 14. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the plurality of settings and the plurality of bridges are each different metals.
 15. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the plurality of settings and the plurality of bridges are each a same color.
 16. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the plurality of settings and the plurality of bridges are each a different color.
 17. Jewelry formed by a process comprising steps of: obtaining an integrally formed plurality of settings; placing a substantially spherical shaped gemstone in a setting of the plurality of settings; and attaching a bridge to ends of the setting to constrain the substantially spherical shaped gemstone therein.
 18. A jewelry kit comprising: an integrally formed plurality of settings; a plurality of substantially spherical shaped gemstones; and a plurality of bridges. 